Structures incorporating batten type joints



Oct. 6, 1959 J. w. TROSTLE STRUCTURES INCORPORATING BATTEN TYPE JOINTS Filed Jan. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 rIjjII INVENTOR.

JOHN W. TROSTLE ATTORNEY Oct. 6, 1959 J. w. TROSTLE STRUCTURES INCORPORATING BATTEN TYPE JOINTS Filed Jan. 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

JOHN W. TROSTLE ATTORNEY United States Patent STRUCTURES INCORPORATING BATTEN TYPE JOINTS John W. Trostle, New Kensington, Pa., assignor to Aluminum Company of America, Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 25, 1955, Serial No. 483,934

4 Claims. (Cl. 10821) This invention relates in general to batten type structures. More specifically the invention relates to structural joints between adjacent sheathing members. As such, the invention may be successfully employed in the erection and application of exterior walls, decks, roofs and similar structures.

It is an object of the invention to provide a leak proof batten joint between adjacent sheathing members.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sheathing system which permits free expansion and contraction of its several assembled elements.

It is another object of the invention to provide prefabricated structural elements which are adaptable in the fabrication of completed joints, as required, in the field or on the job erection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a batten type joint structure incorporating drainage features.

Other objects of the invention will be self-evident on consideration of the following description, when taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 through 8 represent cross-sectional elevational views of eight embodiments of batten joint structures illustrative of the invention;

Fig. 9 represents a cross-sectional elevation taken on the plane IXIX of Fig. 1 and Fig. 10 represents a fragmentary top plan perspective view of a sheathed structure incorporating the batten structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9.

In general terms, the several structures and joints of the invention all incorporate a channel-shaped batten element or member supported upon permanent structural members, framing, or underlying sheathing of a structure to be enclosed or sheathed to provide an exterior weatherproof wall, roof or deck surface. Clip members or elements are positioned in engagement with upstanding flanges of the aforesaid channel batten member at spaced intervals along its length and are provided with laterally extending flanges for securing attachment to the permanent underlying supporting surface to thereby secure the channel-shaped batten in position. Adjacent plates, sheets or sheathing elements are marginally formed to engage the upstanding flanges of the batten member fixedly positioned therebetween and a preferably preformed cap or cover member is superimposed over the channel-shaped batten member and marginally formed edges of a pair of the adjacent sheathing elements, securing means being employed to fasten or otherwise secure the cap member in place through engagement with the aforesaid clip members.

Referring specifically to Figs. 1 through 8, which are representative of batten joint structures falling within the concept of the invention, it will be observed that all of the structures illustrated therein incorporate a channel batten member 10, underlying permanent supporting or framing members 12, batten securing clip members 14, adjacently positioned sheathing sheets or plates 16, cover or cap members 18, and cap-securing elements 20.

It will be further observed that the principal distinction between the several views and embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive lies in the particular forms of the clip members 14, and in some instances the form of the cap-securing element 20. The permanent supporting members 12 may take the form of studs or rafters in wood construction, girts or purlins in steel or other metal construction, reinforced concrete beams, or combinations of the named types of construction. Furthermore, the batten members 10, when laid directly on the aforesaid structural members 12, would span at least two of such members.

The clip members 14 perform the same function in all embodiments of the invention, namely, to secure the batten channels 10 in fixed assembled relationship in respect to an underlying supporting structure. The clip members 14 are generally channel-shaped for spaced nesting relationship within their complementary underlying battens 10, the clips 14 being otherwise disposed at spaced intervals along the length of the battens in registry with the underlying supporting members 12. The particular form of the clip members 14 is such that their flanges are formed to provide contiguously downwardly extending lateral legs 22 terminating in outwardly extending anchor flanges 24 in all cases, with the exception of Fig. 8. It will also be observed that the contiguous formations 2224 are geometrically and dimensionally designed to provide engagement of the arcuate connection between the flanges and downwardly extending legs 22 of the clip members 14 with the upwardly extending flanges of the batten channels 10, while providing superimposed supporting engagement of the outwardly extending anchor flanges 24 on the underlying supporting surface 12 in contact with the underside of the web of the battep channels 10. Securing means 26, such as nails in the case of wood construction, or lag, machine or self-tapping screw elements in the case of a more permanent masonry or steel construction, serve to secure the clip members 14 and positively engaged batten members 10 in permanent assembly on their underlying supporting structure 12.

In Fig. 2, the clip member 14 is provided with spaced ribs or an enlarged boss 28 integrally or unitarily attached to the bottom web of the clip member, the purpose of which will be described hereinafter.

The clip member 14 illustrated in Fig. 4 is provided with inwardly converging flanges 30, which cooperate to provide a box-like lower extremity immediately above the bottom web of the clip member. A similar form of clip 14 is illustrated in Fig. 5, wherein the inwardly converging legs 32 provide a box-like formation above the lower web of the clip member.

Fig. 7 illustrates a roof structure, or the like, incorporating insulating tile or block 23 disposed between the underlying supports 12 and exterior or exposed sheathing members 16. In this particular construction the batten channel 10 is recessed between the insulating material 23 and the exterior sheets 16, with their marginal edges engaging the flanges of the batten 10 and spaced clip members 14, extend laterally in supporting relationship against the underlying surface presented by the insulation 23.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 8 is substantially the same as that of Fig. 7, with the exception that the contiguous formation 22-24 of the clip member 14 of Fig. 7 has been replaced by outwardly extending flanges 25 in contact with the upper surface of the insulating tile or block 23, into which the securing means 26 are driven. The exposed sheathing members 16 in this particular embodiment of the invention are marginally offset to insure clearance relationship with the heads of the securing elements 26.

Regardless of the particular structure incorporated in the several clip members 14, they all perform the same function to engage and secure the batten channels in positive assembled relationship in respect to the permanent underlying supporting structure 12, or insulation 23 (Fig. 8). It will also be observed that adjacent sheathing element 16 and their configurated marginal edges are offset and formed in a manner to overlie the laterally extending flanges 24 or 25 (Fig. 8) and fastening elements 26, in slight clearance relationship thereto, as well as provide hook-engagement with the upwardly extending flanges of the batten channels 10 and localized clip members 14.

The cap or cover member 18 is positioned over each of the batten joints thus far described. In the structures illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, and in Figs. 9 and 10, the cap member 18 comprises a crown panel 34, with laterally depending flanges 35, and is generally of inverted channel cross-section in its assembly with the batten channel structure therebelow. In each instance the cap member 18 serves as a weather shield and shroud for the batten channels 10, clips 14 and the marginal edges of the sheathing members 16 in hook-engaged assembly with the battens 10.

The cap member 18, in the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, takes the form of a flat sheet or plate in view of the recessed position of the batten channels 10. Otherwise the cap 18 serves the same purpose as previously described.

The cap members 18 are secured in position overlying the batten channels 10 and marginal edges of the sheathing members 16 by means of fastening devices 20. In all of the illustrated joint structures, with the exception of Figs. 3 and 4, machine screw elements 20, such as selftapping screws, have been employed in threaded engagement with the bottom web of the clip members 14, or in threaded engagement with the boss or spaced ribs 28 (Fig. 2), or in threaded engagement with the converging legs 32 in Fig. 5.

In Fig. 3, the cap-securing element 20 takes the form of a shouldered bolt or rivet, which is inserted from the underside of the batten web of the clip member 14, extends upwardly through the crown panel 34 of the cap member 18, where a suitable fastening element or cross pin is inserted through a reduced shank section of the fastening element 20.

In Fig. 4 a snap-type connection has been employed between cover 18 and the underlying converging legs or webs 30 of the clip member 14, the securing element 20 in this embodiment of the invention preferably being an integral depending tang or rib, provided with a bulbous terminal end, which is forcibly entered in snap-connection between the aforesaid converging legs 30.

In all of the assembled batten type joint structures described thus far, it should be observed that connection of the cap members 18 to their underlying clip members 14 avoids perforation of the batten channels 10. This is significant from the standpoint of insuring a leak-proof and weather-excluding joint structure, since the imperforate batten channels 10 collect any moisture entering the joints and permit its drainage therefrom at a lower end of the battens 10.

Although the underlying permanent supporting structure has been illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive as comprising rafters, studding, or similar members 12, it is to be understood that the batten joint and sheathing structures of the invention may be laid directly on a fully or partially sheathed surface, such as illustrated in Fig. 10. Therein the underlying supporting surface 12 has been illustrated in the form of sub-roofing or decking, preferably with a layer of building paper 36 laid thereon, the sheathing 16 and batten joints being otherwise the same as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 9.

The batten structures of the invention lend themselves to fabrication from sheet metal, in which case substantially all, if not all, of the fabricating steps required in the formation of the batten channels 10, clips 14, adjacent sheathing elements 16 and cap members 18 can be carried out in the field or on the job by employing standard sheet metal working tools. It is also possible to fabricate the batten channels 10, clips 14 and cap members 18 by extrusion in indeterminate lengths from which any desired lengths of the named elements may be sheared and provided in package form. In this connection, extrusion practice is the preferred and most economical process for fabricating the clip members 14 illustrated to best advantage in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, which are characterized by non-uniform cross-sectional thickness. The same remarks apply to the cap member 18 illustrated in Fig. 4, which is non-uniform in cross-sectional thickness as a result of the depending fastening element 20.

It will be observed that the clip members 14 are the only elements of the batten joint structures described above, which are directly and positively attached to the underlying supporting structures of the several embodiments of the invention. As a result, the batten channels 10 and sheathing elements 16 are free to move in respect to their underlying structures, as well as in respect to one another, in response to expansion and contraction of a system or structure incorporating the bat-ten type joints of the invention. In similar fashion, the cover or cap members 18 are only secured to the clips 14 at spaced intervals along their length, which also permits relative movement between themselves and the batten channels 10, sheathing members 16 and underlying supporting structures for the same.

Having illustrated and described several embodiments of batten structures falling within the scope of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise illustrations and description hereinabove, except as defined in the claims appended hereto. i

What is claimed is:

1. A batten joint structure comprising an underlying imperforate channel-shaped member, channel-shaped clip members in superimposed nested relationship within said underlying imperforate channel-shaped member at spaced intervals along its length, the flanges of said clip members being reversely bent on themselves to engage the flanges of the underlying imperforate channel and extend downwardly and outwardly thereof for attach ment to a structural supporting member exterior to and underlying the imperforate channel-shaped member, a pair of adjacent sheathing members having marginal edges in hook-engagement with the underlying imperforate channel-shaped member, a cap member overlying the adjacent hook-engaged marginal edges of the sheathing members, and a securing device in engagement with the cap member and clip members.

2. A sheathed structure comprising spaced imperforate channel-shaped battens supported on an underlying structure to be sheathed, one-piece channel-shaped clip members nested Within the battens at spaced intervals along the length of the battens, the flanges of the clip members being reversely bent to provide engagement With the upper unsupported edges of the flanges of the battens and contiguously extended exterior thereto to provide anchor flanges in contact with the underlying structure, fastening devices attaching the anchor flanges to the underlying structure, sheathing elements supported on the underlying structure between the battens with their opposite marginal edges configurated to provide hook-engagement with adjacent upstanding flanges of the battens, a cap member overlying each batten and the hook-engaged marginal edges of the sheathing members associated with each batten, and securing means attach: ing the cap members to the clip members underlying the same.

3. A batten joint structure comprising an underlying channel-shaped member having imperforate upstanding flanges and connecting Web, channel-shaped clip members in superimposed spaced nested relationship within said underlying imperforate channel-shaped member at spaced intervals along its length, the flanges of said clip members being reversely bent on themselves to engage the upper edges of the flanges of the underlying imperforate channel-shaped member and extending exteriorly downwardly and outwardly with respect thereto for exterior attachment to a structural member supporting the underlying imperforate channel-shaped member, a pair of adjacent sheathing members having marginal edges in hook-engagement with the upper edges of the flanges of the imperforate underlying channel-shaped member and spaced clip members along its length, a cap member overlying the adjacent hook-engaged marginal edges of the sheathing members, and a device in securing engagement with the cap member and clip members.

4. A sheathed structure comprising spaced channelshaped batten members having imperforate upstanding 'flanges and connecting webs, said imperforate channelshaped batten members being supported on the exterior surfaces of their webs on an underlying structure to be sheathed, channel-shaped clip members in superimposed spaced nested relationship within said imperforate channel-shaped batten members at spaced intervals along their length with their webs parallel to the webs of the batten members, the flanges of said clip members being reversely bent on themselves into engagement with the upper edges of the flanges of their underlying imperforate channel-shaped batten members and extending exteriorly downwardly and outwardly thereto for exterior attachment to the underlying structure to be sheathed, sheathing elements supported on the underlying structure between the imperforate channel-shaped batten members with their opposite marginal edges configurated to provide hook-engagement with the upper edges of the flanges of the imperforate underlying channel-shaped batten members and spaced clip members disposed along their length, a cap member overlying each channel-shaped batten and in contact with the hook-engaged marginal edges of the sheathing members associated therewith, and means in securing engagement with each cap member and the clip members underlying the same.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,001,646 Jeter Aug. 29, 1911 1,219,177 Silverman Mar. 13, 1917 2,552,092 Goodwin May 8, 1951 

